10 Ways Pet Apps are Changing The Pet Industry

Pet Apps are taking over our society. The Playdate App allows you to swipe through nearby dog owners and set meet ups in your local park. Here is a Q & A with The Playdate App founder Gary Feuerstein talking all things pet tech.

What is the absolute best reason to get in to pet tech?

Over recent years the phenomenon of ‘pet humanization’ has become increasingly prevalent. Owners see themselves as pet parents and their pet is a treated as a member of the family. Pet tech gives people access to services and products for their pet at their fingertips. Playdate is the ultimate pet socialization app for both owners and their dog, enabling people who share similar interests to connect in such a fun and unique way.  The best reason to get in to pet tech for me, is to be able to help transform the pet industry in to something more dynamic, exciting and progressive. 

How much demand is there for pet care?

Demand for pet care is huge. Over recent years the demand for the type of care has evolved from basic animal needs to highly specialized premium products and services. 

These days, pets are considered valued members of the family and this familiarization has fuelled the need for new types of care. Owners want to ensure that their pets every need is well taken care of.   There is an increasing need for dog walkers, dog sitters, grooming, pet friendly hotels, veterinarians with tech accessible records, and dog socialisation - just to name a few. There are even pet only aeroplanes!

People have busy lives, and want to ensure their pet has its every need met.  Pet ownership in the US is expected to rise annually, and unsurprising, so is the demand for pet care.

10 ways pet apps are changing the pet industry:

For the last couple of years, the pet industry has been completely transformed by apps and other tech gadgets, creating huge business opportunities and making the life of both pets and owners better, and easier.

Travel:

Pet friendly directory: Travelling with your pet can often be a struggle as a lot of hotels or restaurants are not pet friendly. Many apps will allow owners to have a directory of pet friendly places at their fingertip and make their trip much more convenient.

On the other hand, preparing a trip without your pet can also be a cause of stress, as finding a warm temporary home for your companion can be challenging. Some apps make the process much easier by matching pets with a welcoming home that has been rated by other users of the community.

Social:

Socialization apps for pets, like PLAYDATE, have brought a social aspect to dog ownership and enabled people to make valuable connections with each other.

Breeding – Some specialized apps and websites are dedicated to finding a mate for your dog with some very specific criteria for breeding purposes.

Healthcare:

Digitalizing pet health records - owners can access records online which is convenient for travel, emergencies etc.

General fitness – There is a wide range of high tech gadgets and apps that aim to keeping track of your dog’s exercise and diet.

Awareness for pets that need a new home - apps connect people looking to adopt a pet, which have saved the lives of many animals that would have otherwise not found a loving home.

DogTV – In an attempt to keep your dog company and lower their anxiety when they are home alone, you can switch the TV on and let your pet watch DogTV.

Security:

Webcam apps enable owners to have peace of mind that their pet is safe and happy whilst they are at work or travelling.

GPS tracking – There are a few companies that have dedicated devices and a variety of connected collars specifically designed to keep track of your dog. As much as it helps monitoring dog walkers, it is also a great feature for more adventurous dogs that tend to get lost or go on unexpected escapades.

General services:

Auto replenishment apps are revolutionising the pet industry making it easy for owners to receive regular food and treat delivery straight to their door.  Hassel free.

Proximity pet related businesses - It has now become very simple to find nearby trusted dog walkers with a couple of clicks, and dedicated apps have given access to a very wide range of services that previously were found by word of mouth.

What was the most powerful decision you made for the company?

The most powerful decision I have made for Playdate was shifting the focus of the app to a more human interaction based objective. Originally the main purpose behind Playdate was to find companionship for dogs alone. However it quickly became apparent that actually, the human connections being made were more interesting and exciting. Of course dogs love socializing, but it’s their owners desire for companionship that really brings Playdate to life!

Special thanks to Gary Feuerstein, Founder of The Playdate App